On Ukraine, the Chasm Gapes Between Europe and the US

MUENCHEN, SUNDAY — The differences of opinion between European Union countries and the United States are deepening. This difference is primarily triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to negotiate a peace agreement for Ukraine with Russia. In this regard, Washington has so far not planned to include the EU in the negotiation process, despite demanding support for its efforts.

Ukraine also does not want to participate if it and its strategic partners are not invited to the talks.

The stance of Ukraine was directly conveyed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Friday (14/2/2025). This stance emerged because Ukraine was not invited to the talks between the US and Russia that are planned to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Michael McCaul, a Republican Party politician from Texas who is also the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, acknowledged during the conference that representatives of the US Government will hold talks with representatives of the Russian Government in the near future. Washington will be represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

He said that the subject of the discussion was the initial preparation and arrangement of a tripartite meeting between Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskyy, which is expected to lead to peace efforts and ultimately end the Russia-Ukraine war.

A source familiar with the plan confirmed the planned talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia. The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since the discourse from Trump emerged that the US would push for the Ukraine-Russia peace talks process, Zelenskyy has already reminded that they are not willing to engage in any negotiations if it does not directly involve his country and also Europe. The security of Ukraine is considered the collective security of the Blue Continent countries as a whole.

Fears of marginalization of Europe and Ukraine were largely confirmed on Saturday (2/15/2025). At that time, Trump's envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellog, stated that Europe would have no place in the negotiation process.

"You can have Ukraine, Russia and certainly America at the table," Kellogg said at an event hosted by a Ukrainian tycoon. Asked if that meant the Europeans would be left out, he said: "I'm a realist. I don't think that's going to happen."

However, Kellogg acknowledged that the European Union could play a role in ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty. "We need to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty," he said, adding that the European alliance would be crucial in this regard.

The potential marginalization of Ukraine in the negotiations forced Zelenskyy to take a stand. "Ukraine will never accept a deal that is made behind our back without our involvement," Zelensky said in a speech in Munich.

Zelenskyy also said that decisions on Ukraine must involve European countries. "There are no decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine. There are no decisions on Europe without Europe," he said.

The former comedian is not playing around. He also stated that Ukraine will not make any promises regarding the use of rare earth minerals to the US in return for the US's goodwill in helping Ukraine and promoting Ukraine-Russia peace. Three sources said the US proposed taking over 50 percent of Ukraine's critical mineral resources. However, Zelenskyy said the agreement did not contain the security provisions that Kyiv wanted.

"In my opinion, the deal does not protect us and our interests," Zelenskyy said.

Trump's desire to push for Ukraine-Russia talks has left many wondering where Trump's policy is headed. In some of his statements, Trump has left Europe and Ukraine confused, especially when he said he understood the reasons for Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. The statement was seen as undermining European security as a whole.

The U.S. change of heart, now led by a Republican, has strained relations between Europe and the U.S.. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the new U.S. stance a moment of truth that should encourage European leaders to unite while overcoming their differences.

“This is an existential moment. This is a moment where Europe has to wake up,” he said. “There will be no lasting peace if it is not a peace that Europe agrees to.”

Meanwhile, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir lamented Washington’s lack of clarity. “People are still not sure what the US wants to do. And I think it would be better if we come out of this conference with a clear picture of that,” he said in Munich.

The big differences between Europe and the US prompted Zelenskyy to reiterate his idea for the EU to form a so-called European armed force, especially after the US was seen as no longer reliable in supporting the security of the Blue Continent.

"I truly believe that the time has come," he said. "A European armed force must be created.”

Zelenskyy said the idea was not about replacing NATO. "It's about making Europe's contribution to our partnership equal to America's," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to bridge the gap between Europe and the US, saying his country will work to ensure the US and Europe remain united and focused on external enemies.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for our national security, where we are engaging with the realities of the world today and the threat we face from Russia," Starmer said, as reported by the BBC. "Clearly Europe must take a greater role in Nato as we work with the US to secure Ukraine's future and confront the threat we face from Russia."

According to the BBC, Starmer wants Kyiv to be the centre of ceasefire talks rather than other parties. Starmer is also said to be planning to discuss the views of European leaders when he meets Trump in Washington in the coming weeks.

Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said, European countries must put forward good proposals to ensure future security, not only for Ukraine but also for Europe as a whole.

"If Europeans want to have a say, make yourself relevant," Rutte said. (AP/AFP/Reuters)